Miami Dolphins: Jay Ajayi makes Ezekiel Elliott unnecessary

Ezekiel Elliott will be one of the first 15 prospects off the board in this year’s draft, but the Miami Dolphins do not need to draft the best running back in the class.

Although Ezekiel Elliott is the type of three-down back with the strength, passing-down acumen, shakes, explosiveness, and vision to be a centerpiece player on offense that can transform a franchise, the Miami Dolphins would be better served passing on him in the first round.

Even though Elliott is talented enough to warrant being selected by the Dolphins with the 13th overall pick, the fact of the matter is that they can’t afford to keep stockpiling on offense at the expense of their defense. In the first four rounds of the past two drafts, the Dolphins have selected just two players on defense: defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and converted safety Walt Aikens.

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Their picks on offense? Right tackle Ja’Wuan James, star wide receiver Jarvis Landry, No. 2 receiver DeVante Parker, and guards Billy Turner and Jamil Douglas.

Losing Lamar Miller this offseason could tempt the Dolphins to take a running back high in this year’s draft, but the truth is that they should look for a Day 2 or 3 value. This is a deep class with perfectly viable running back prospects outside of the first round in Kenneth Dixon, Devontae Booker, C.J. Prosise, Daniel Lasco, Jordan Howard, Paul Perkins, Jonathan Williams, and Keith Marshall.

Though it is difficult to trust Jay Ajayi‘s long-term health, he has enough talent and showed enough in his rookie season to be the leader of a 1-2 punch with a less regarded rookie. The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported that the Dolphins pursued Alfred Morris earlier this offseason, and while this confirms that they want more bodies of some competence at the running back position…that much is painfully obvious.

The fact that the Dolphins went after a pure two-down plodder like Morris hints that the team is more interested in adding a pure in-between-the-tackle rusher who can take pressure off of Ajayi in a true committee. Now, Elliott is the best way to fill this need, but is running back a big enough need?

Jan 3, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) is tackled by New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

With Ajayi on the squad and the potential to draft an Ajayi-caliber player after the first round, I don’t see it that way.

When I look at the Dolphins depth chart, I see a team that has done little to improve its pass defense. Mario Williams is a downgrade from Olivier Vernon as far as the pass rush goes, Isa Abdul-Quddus might not be the caliber of free safety this team needs, and the fact that Byron Maxwell is the team’s clear No. 1 corner is a little bit scary.

Yes, the Dolphins need to draft a cornerback at No. 13, because it is the most gaping need on their roster, with the exception of guard, which as long been a problem spot for this organization.

Even if they don’t get to steal away Vernon Hargreaves III, William Jackson III will most likely be on the board, and he’s nearly as good. WJ3 would immediately start for the Dolphins, and he could become a Pro Bowl player on a pass defense that would otherwise bank an awful lot on Maxwell bouncing back as a member of the thinnest secondary of his career.

That’s not good business, especially when the depth at running back is safer than the depth at cornerback. Hargreaves and Jackson are decisively the top two “pure” CB prospects in the class, and while there are plenty of great athletes at the position this year, it is difficult to predict which of these athletes will be quality starters. The Dolphins already whiffed on the once-touted Jamar Taylor in the second round, and, in fact, he might be forced to start in 2016 if a significant upgrade is not added next week.

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For as great of a prospect as Elliott is, a cornerback is the better option for a team that gave up 4,000 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and had just 13 interceptions as a pass defense that was 27th in the NFL in net yards per pass attempt allowed. They can sit there and act like drafting skill position players is the path to victory, but if they really want to make a postseason push, they’ll get serious about upgrading their secondary and look to find value later on at RB.

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